I have always loved taking photographs since I was a child and was rarely without a film camera growing up, documenting various phases in my life and those people around me. I always remember playing around with an old Box Brownie that my parents had long finished using, and was fascinated by how the image would appear upside down in the view finder…I never understood until more recently how this worked!
It was only in 2001 that I acquired my first digital ‘zoom’ camera which at the time took the most amazing images, but at 3 megapixels and the zoom not actually getting me that close to my subjects, which at the time was predominantly wildlife, I opted to invest in a digital SLR camera ‘like the professionals’ used with lenses that ranged between 18-300mm. So in 2009 my journey into photography really began to take off.
I largely taught myself how to use my camera although I learned a lot of skills by taking part in wildlife photography workshops using manual controls and took with me advice I still use now. I have picked up a lot valuable tips and advice by talking to other photographers (both amateur and professional) and began gaining confidence in taking my camera around with me.
Enrolling on an evening A Level course in Photography in 2011 made me fall in love with the film camera all over again and use a variety of 35mm SLR and medium format cameras.
Using a manual film SLR camera forcibly teaches you how the controls and settings work together to create the perfect image in the right environment…you haven’t got a viewing screen or a delete button and with just those 10-36 exposures you have to become aware of what you are doing so that you don’t waste a shot!! By learning to work manually from an analogue camera I now understand to a greater level how to work my digital SLR camera and so you will regularly see me holding two cameras out on a shoot!
In 2014 I completed a full time Foundation Diploma in Art and Design and started to experiment with mixed media creative art and photography which has opened my eyes to a whole new world of ideas.
Viewing life through a lens, I have not only learnt more about the world around me but I have learnt a great deal about myself too and as each day passes I am learning more and more about who I am. Photography and art has taught me a lot about life and the wasteful society that we have become and I appreciate the little things a whole lot more!
Lisa
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A Reflection of your Heart
A Reflection of your Heart 